Shadow the Hedgehog is about to make his live-action debut, and the filmmakers behind Sonic 3 know why fans love the character so much. First appearing in Sonic Adventure 2 in 2001, Shadow has since become one of the most popular characters in the Sonic universe. From the games to the comics to the cartoons, Shadow has been a key figure in the franchise for over two decades now. Considering how successful and well-received the first Sonic the Hedgehog was, it was only a matter of time before Shadow made his way into the big screen.

Whereas the Shadow has been front-and-center in the Sonic 3 marketing campaign, and there’s a reason why.

Sonic 3 Director Jeff Fowler Knows What People Are Expecting From Shadow

Motorcycles, Weapons, And A Tragic Backstory

During an interview with EW, Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler, who also helmed the first two movies, talked about how they are aware of what fans expect from Shadow, from his origin story to the gadgets he uses. According to Fowler, they were “very aware” of the things that make Shadow such a popular character among the fanbase and sought to find the “right way to handle that kind of imagery in a family film.” The director specifically mentioned Shadow’s motorcycle and guns, both of which are part of the character’s iconic imagery in the games.

Before he was a director, Jeff Fowler was a CG animator for Blur Studios and worked on Sonic properties, including 2005's Shadow the Hedgehog.

Fowler also pointed out how audiences will “really appreciate Shadow and Maria,” which is essential for a Shadow the Hedgehog adaptation. Similarly to the first two movies, the Sonic 3 must have had to find the balance between honoring what has been done with these characters in the past while telling a story that works for multiple demographics. Casting Keanu Reeves, one of the most popular actors in the world, as Shadow, has surely helped Sonic 3 in that regard. Shadow is already stealing the show even before the movie has come out.

The Sonic The Hedgehog Movies Have Gotten Fanservice Right So Far

Getting Shadow Right Shouldn’t Be Difficult After The First Two Movies

An easy mistake when adapting a character like Sonic is to focus entirely on nostalgia and fanservice. The Sonic the Hedgehog universe includes countless stories and characters, meaning any adaptation could have plenty of Easter eggs and callbacks. While those are always fun, Sonic the Hedgehog’s live-action movies needed to appeal to more than just the fanbase. This is why it was so important for the first Sonic movie to work, as its success would allow the sequels to diver deep into what makes Sonic such a popular franchise.

From changing the design of Sonic to bringing back Jim Carrey as Eggman for not only one but two sequels, the Sonic movies have embraced the fanbase. However, they have also been great films that work for virtually everyone, not just nostalgic fans who grew up on Sonic. Granted, both the Sonic films and Knuckles were somewhat criticized for focusing too much on the human characters, but that is also one of the reasons why this franchise has worked so well. That said, Sonic 3 seems to be the most “game-accurate” film so far.

Everything About Shadow Looks Perfect In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Shadow Looks And Sound Great In Sonic 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 had one of the best versions of Knuckles in all Sonic media, especially compared to recent adaptations. As such, the bar was high for what Sonic 3 was going to do with Shadow. The announcement that Keanu Reeves, a popular fancast for the characters, was actually going to play Shadow made the anti-hero’s cinematic debut even more exciting. Shadow looks and sounds great based on what we have seen so far from Sonic 3, and that’s not even the most promising thing about the film.

The biggest difference so far between Sonic 3 and Shadow’s canonical backstory is that Gerald Robotnik is alive in the present (...)

Sonic 3 appears to be doing the exact Shadow the Hedgehog backstory from Sonic Adventure 2, including Maria’s death and Gerald Robotnik’s involvement in the creation of the ultimate lifeform. This also means that the third film will be the darkest entry yet in the Sonic the Hedgehog live-action franchise. The biggest difference so far between Sonic 3 and Shadow’s canonical backstory is that Gerald Robotnik is alive in the present, which shouldn’t be a problem given that it will allow us to see Jim Carrey playing two characters in the same scene.

Source: EW